LOMVC Charities Concert 2018

The LOMVC Annual Charities Concert was held at Westcliff High School for Boys, Essex on the 20th October, 2018. Four Charities were supported; Hockley/Hawkwell WI; Southend Talking Newspaper; St Nicholas Church (Great Wakering) and CAP (Christians Against Poverty).

The Concert was compered, in his usual friendly, informative and amusing way by Eric Smith. He gave a “potted history” of each piece before it was performed. In the first session The Choir opened with “Morte Christe” followed by three further songs, they were all well received by the capacity audience.

The audience were then entertained by the Harrison Dolphin Trio. Harrison, earlier this year was the winner of the LOMVC 50th anniversary bursary of £1000 on the grounds of his outstanding talent as a jazz guitarist. He played for us at the Plaza Centre at our 50th Anniversary Concert and the choir were delighted to welcome him back with his trio. Accompanying Harrison on double bass was Lorenzo Morabito, who has been offered a place at the Purcell Academy, and on percussion was Kai Macrae, who has been offered a place at the Royal Academy of Music. They also performed in the second half of the Concert. They were superb and received a wonderful reception from the audience. Guitar, percussion and bass solos were especially well received. Even the compere was lost for words after their second session.

The Choir completed the first session by singing five further songs, including ‘Four Strong Winds’ for the first time at a concert.

To hear the live recording, made at this concert, of the choir singing ‘Mansions of the Lord’ click here.

For the second half The Choir changed into red waistcoats and bow ties and commenced with the 7-song medley “Back to the 60s”. The audience certainly enjoyed this immensely, they were mouthing the words and smiling, especially the last number “Da Do Ron Ron” when they joined in with every word with smiles on their faces.

After the second Harrison Dolphin Trio set, The Choir sang three further songs, finishing with “Bohemian Rhapsody”, another audience pleaser. The raffle numbers were announced, and a member of the audience was so pleased to have won she shouted out, which certainly entertained everybody present.

A very successful concert and hopefully the four Charities will have raised money for their worthy causes.